Record New Jersey Wildfire and PFAS Concerns Underscore Growing Environmental Pressures

New Jersey battles its largest wildfire on record, with over 23 square miles of Pinelands ablaze. Fueled by dry conditions more typical of western states, the fire has forced evacuations and threatened sensitive sites. Meanwhile, the EPA unveiled a plan to tackle PFAS “forever chemicals,” but activists say the approach lacks teeth. The agency claims it will expand research and remediation, yet some fear the Trump-appointed leadership might weaken or delay stricter standards introduced before. Together, these events highlight growing ecological stress: intensifying wildfire risks in unexpected places and persistent chemical pollution that could harm drinking water and public health.